Things Christians Should Stop Saying

[Damien the Leper]

I'm not usually a fan of the Huff but I thought this was a great article and I completely agree.

It is time.

No, it is past time.

Christians must stop saying the following things.

1. The Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God.

It isn't inerrant and not likely even in the "original manuscripts." But then, I cannot say that with absolute certainty, anymore than anyone else can either.

Why? Because no such "original" manuscripts even exists. That's like saying, "We believe there are aliens on other planets!"

Good for you. Now, prove it.

As we have it, no matter what translation you favor, the Bible is replete with errors. To pretend otherwise is your right. To say otherwise is a lie. You are entitled to your opinions, your assumptions, even your beliefs. What you are not entitled to is a misrepresentation of the facts.

A corollary to this that Christians should stop saying is this:

2. We just believe the Bible.

That, too, is false. What you really believe is your interpretation of the Bible. And the last I checked, the history of the Christian church is the history of disagreement over "interpretation." How else do you explain the scores of denominations within Christianity alone? It would be patently more honest of Christians to say, "The following represents our understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures, but we are also aware there are many equally sincere Christians who interpret the Scriptures differently from us."

A third thing Christians should stop saying:

3. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

What you are really saying is, "The way we interpret John 14:6 is that Jesus was clearly drawing a line in the sand and telling his hearers and the world: 'If you do not believe in Me, you won't go to the Father when you die.'"

For this, I refer back to No. 2 above: what you and your group of believers really mean to say is, "It is our interpretation of John 14:6 that Jesus is saying that He is the only way to heaven."

There are scores of Christians, however, and I am one of them, who do not interpret Jesus' words in John 14 the same way. Just because I do not makes me no less Christian than you are. So stop drawing lines in the sand, please, between equally sincere followers of Jesus.

When I read the 14th chapter of John, I see a context that yields an alternative reading of the text. Instead of Jesus starting some new religion here and saying, "OK, fellas, I'm going to go away soon" -- referring to his death -- "but, before I go, you should know that where I'm going you, and others who believe just like you, will one day be, too -- that is, of course, if they believe like you believe that I am the only way to heaven. That is to say, if the people around you and who come after you don't believe that I am the only way to heaven, then, of course, they'll have to go to hell. Is all that clear?"

I offer an alternative interpretation: When Jesus spoke to them about leaving them, they were understandably shaken.

How could they not be? After all, they had left everything to follow him. Now, just a year, or two, or three years later, Jesus is saying he's getting ready to leave them?

But, of course, they're upset. So Thomas, speaking on behalf of the others, asks, "But where are you going and why can't we go with you? Furthermore, how will we know the way?"

Jesus responds in tender, reassuring ways. Sensing the fragility of their faith, seeing the anxiety on their faces, he reassures them that, in God's house are many rooms, "mansions" or places. Yes, He's going away but where He's going they, too, will go. Just as He has led them this far, He will lead them further still (and what follows in the latter part of John 14 is the beautiful reassurance of the on-going presence of God in the Holy Spirit).

So, for me personally, and many other Christians, too, Jesus is no more pointing to himself as the "one-and-only-way" to God than Thomas is expressing in his question concern for Hindus, Muslims or Buddhists and whether they'll go to heaven? I can assure you that Thomas, and the others, were only concerned about themselves. And yet, even at that point, Jesus is tender in His care of them and seeks to reassure them that, just as He and the Father were one, and just as they had trusted the things He had been saying to them during his time with them, so they could trust him and what he was saying at this time, too. Yes, he was leaving them. But no, they would not be left alone. Where he was, they would be. He had shown them the way to the Father. But, even after He's gone from them, they will know the way then, too. The Comforter would guide them.

And so, the Church is here today. But not because Christians declare, "There is no way to go to heaven if you don't believe in Jesus." The Church is here today because when people do trust the things Jesus said about HImself, about HIs relationship to the Father...when people believe and so live the teachings of Jesus they, too, are changed -- they, too, become "new creations in Christ," as Saint Paul put it (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Now, I took longer with this one thing Christians need to stop saying because many Christians seem stuck here, thinking that there's only one way to interpret Jesus' words about being the way. It is my hope these Christians will know there are equally sincere Christians like myself and others who do not believe Jesus was drawing a line in the sand between him and some new religion he was creating and all the other religions of the world.

Again, it's your right to "believe" or, more accurately, interpret Scripture as you wish. You do not, however, have permission to arrogantly assume your way of interpreting the words of Jesus are the only way to understand His words. Last I checked, no one's interpretation of anything is infallible. Not yours. Not mine.

A fourth thing Christians need to stop saying:

4. The rapture of Jesus is imminent.

Again, if you want to believe in some secret rapture of Christians from the earth just before the Tribulation, if you want to believe in and carry around in your hip pocket detailed charts and graphs of how its all going to happen, then so be it. But do the rest of us a favor and stop saying so in public.

So far, your record of correctly predicting the future earns a flunking grade. And I and scores of other Christians are frankly tired of apologizing for your arrogant -- and so far, absolutely wrong -- predictions as to when it'll happen.

My recommendation? Burn up your charts and go live like Christ. Quit masking your real fears by calling them faith. It isn't faith that leads you to sell all you have, give the proceeds to some wacko, and go camp out on Mount Horeb as you await the rapture. It's stupidity instead. It's embarrassing, too. It makes thoughtful Christians have to apologize to the world and explain that we're not all off-our-rockers, at least, not yet, anyway. So, please, please. If you want to believe in the charts that Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye and other "get-rich-off-the-stupidity-of-Christians" have duped scores into believing, then have at it. Just stay out of the news please! Go quietly to your campsites and do your waiting.

I'll mention two more things Christians should stop saying. Many of these things I discuss at length in "The Enoch Factor: The Sacred Art of Knowing God":

5. Homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle and it is a sin against God.

This one issue, my friend, is on the outs. If you don't know that, you are more blind than the Republicans were in the last election. They misinterpreted the political environment and so completely blew it when it came to getting their candidate elected. And you, my friend, are misinterpreting the moral, spiritual and religious environment -- and the changes that are coming.

My son said it well the other day. We were discussing homosexuality and same-sex marriage and he observed, "Dad, it's your generation that's hung up on these issues. Once you guys get out of the way and the younger generation moves into the decision-making arena, these issues will disappear. The day will come when, just as slavery is unthinkable in our consciousness today, it will be equally unthinkable to deny anyone the right to be who they are or the right to same-sex marriage."

You can still revere the Bible, my friend, but move beyond the prejudice of Paul or anyone else. You don't need to make Saint Paul infallible to treat the Bible as important.

Finally, please, please Christians stop insisting that...

6. The earth is less than 10,000 years old.

If you want to believe that Genesis is a scientific description of the origins of the universe, then have at it. Just stop insisting that those myths be taught in our public schools. You do no service to the Bible nor to the morality of this country by demanding school administrators include textbooks that teach that nonsense or by demanding courts hang the Ten Commandments on chamber walls or classroom walls.

If this democracy is going to survive, get over your silly, misinformed notions that our forefathers were all Bible-believing, Bible thumping, Genesis-affirming Christians who came to this country to establish your kind of Christian nation and then expect everyone else to conform to your misguided assumptions.

Whew! I feel better. Thanks for letting me get a few things off my chest.

Now, there is one thing I think all Christians, including me, should remember -- no, should practice (and we should practice this between ourselves first, too) -- and that is the one simple thing Jesus once said would be the one-and-only thing the world would know us by...

Not our beliefs.

Not our doctrines.

Not our denomination's distinctions.

Not even our declarations.

Jesus said, "They will know you are my disciples by your love" (John 13:35).

When we love, what more needs to be said?

6 Things Christians Should Just Stop Saying

[The Nehor]

I do not agree with 3 and 5. 3 is kind of the whole substance of Christian faith. 5 seems based on arguments of political and cultural inevitability and nothing else. I do not accept the idea that just because society is going in one direction we should assume it is the right one (let alone that it meets with divine approval).

[blackstrap]

So.

1. the Bible is full of errors-hence we really don't know if some verse is true or not.

2. One man's interpretation is as good as another

3. Jesus didn't really mean what He said because we don't know what He said. It isn't like we have a video!

4. Homosexuality is just as pure and sweet as any other lifestyle,leave them alone,better yet,invite them in.

5. The Bible has no knowledge to impart about the creation and the history of the world, science is the only provider of truth.

I think I got it.

[ERayR]

So.

1. the Bible is full of errors-hence we really don't know if some verse is true or not.

2. One man's interpretation is as good as another

3. Jesus didn't really mean what He said because we don't know what He said. It isn't like we have a video!

4. Homosexuality is just as pure and sweet as any other lifestyle,leave them alone,better yet,invite them in.

5. The Bible has no knowledge to impart about the creation and the history of the world, science is the only provider of truth.

I think I got it.

What took you so long?

[3DOP]

The Rapture. I barely remember it. I almost never think about it.

There are a lot of people who used to believe in an imminent rapture. Some might remember how Jimmy Carter and Anwar Sadat were supposedly fulfilling the last days prophecies. So I knew it was a load of garbage by 1988. How about "88 Reasons the Rapture will be in 1988"? But we need patience. People need to make their journeys. It can be made to seem real interesting and exciting and to be fooled once or twice isn't all that bad. You get over it. Most people who are saying rapture today will be joining us tomorrow. I dare say that the only ones who never seem to tire of news headlines fulfilling prophecies are making a little money. Bible prophecy can be a business, and where there is a buck and a sensational book to sell, somebody is going to write it, and somebody else will buy it. At 22, I bought a book. I believed. It was my initiation into Christianity. It was because of seeing Hal Lindsey on the Tom Snyder Show one night in 1978 after Johnny Carson. I was already cured of the Rapture ten years later. I guess Mr. Lindsey is still selling books. I think he does more good than harm, especially if he can reach some kid like me who had never been to church a day in his life.

It doesn't work for me for some self-appointed voice of wisdom to make some authoritarian proclamation about what Christians need to stop saying.

[bluebell]

I personally don't really get the article.

Isn't the author just basically saying "other Christians should stop saying things that I as a Christian disagree with"?

Why does this person think that they should get to decide what a real Christian should say in public?

[Ahab]

Why does this person think that they should get to decide what a real Christian should say in public?

It's just one of those things some Christians say, sometimes. I think they should stop saying things like that.

[TAO]

Well, obviouslly I disagree with 3 and 5 (3 is because almost everybody will accept Christ in the afterlife eventually). I even know there are ways you can logically disagree with 4 and 6 (even if I don't adhere to them). 1 is a bit harder, but I suppose you could even justify that. About the only one I agree with wholely is number 2.

Edited March 2, 2013 by TAO

[Sky]

I wonder how this author would feel about the "Mormon spin" on these points? Somehow I think he might be less than enthused...

1. The Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God.

We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Articles of Faith

2. We just believe the Bible.

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

3. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

The Book of Mormon seems to confirm the Biblical passages on this:

“Behold I say unto you, that … as the Lord … liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, … whereby man can be saved” (2 Ne. 25:20)

God will give all people the opportunity to hear the Gospel, whether in this life or the next. And almost all people will inherit of kingdom of glory - either the Celestial, Terrestrial, or Telestial. See D&C 76.

4. The rapture of Jesus is imminent.

Never heard this expression in an LDS context. But we do proclaim that someday Jesus will return to the earth, but no person knows when that will happen.

5. Homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle and it is a sin against God.

How about instead that homosexuality is not a chosen orientation? That we don't choose our feelings, but we do choose how we respond to them, and whether or not we act on it.

If acted upon, God offers forgiveness if we repent.

6. The earth is less than 10,000 years old.

As far as I know, the LDS Church has no official position regarding the age of the earth. There is a range of thoughts on this matter among LDS people, but it has no bearing on anybody's worthiness or standing in the Church.

[Rivers]

I agree with most of these. Number three makes sense because he is saying that living the teachings of Jesus can lead us to heaven. He only disagrees with the notion that only people who believe in Jesus go to heaven. People who don't believe in Jesus can still live His core teachings. But Mormon theology provides a way for Jesus to save all people whether in this life or the next.

Right now I am agnostic about number 5.

[BCSpace]

#3 is in conflict with the LDS Church. We claim to be the only true Church and while it's true one can interpret the scriptures the way one wants, one has left the path of Christianity by incorporating the #3 suggestion. In fact it's such thinking that is a major reason Christianity is on the decline today. It leads to unbelief and Atheism.

[Teancum]

#3 is in conflict with the LDS Church. We claim to be the only true Church and while it's true one can interpret the scriptures the way one wants, one has left the path of Christianity by incorporating the #3 suggestion. In fact it's such thinking that is a major reason Christianity is on the decline today. It leads to unbelief and Atheism.

But other Christians who hold to 3 believe we LDSers are damned to helll beacause we have the wrong Jesus.

[Damien the Leper]

Perhaps I am too pluralistic and egalitarian in my beliefs.

[Peppermint Patty]

Things Christians Should Stop Playing:

Christian rock and Christian rap.

[Damien the Leper]

Things Christians Should Stop Playing:

Christian rock and Christian rap.

Have you heard The Letter Black or Skillet?

[altersteve]

Have you heard The Letter Black or Skillet?

Love both those bands. I was going to see Skillet in concert a few years ago but I couldn't make it. I'm still a little bitter about that, haha.

[Damien the Leper]

Love both those bands. I was going to see Skillet in concert a few years ago but I couldn't make it. I'm still a little bitter about that, haha.

I will be at UFiesta here in Phoenix on May 4th and Skillet will be there with Powerman 5000, Stone Sour, Chevelle and Hyro Da Hero.

[altersteve]

Let me know how it is! Sounds like a great show.

I haven't been to a concert in a couple years now. The last band I saw was Alter Bridge in April 2011. I'm going through concert withdrawals.

[Peppermint Patty]

Have you heard The Letter Black or Skillet?

Okay, I can admit when I'm wrong. I just listened to some of Skillet for the first time.

They are actually pretty good.

Christians can still listen to Skillet.

[Damien the Leper]

Let me know how it is! Sounds like a great show.

I haven't been to a concert in a couple years now. The last band I saw was Alter Bridge in April 2011. I'm going through concert withdrawals.

Will do. I couldn't live without going to a show. They are like communing with God.

[blackstrap]

Everytime I watch a report on a massive concert with 50,000 + attendees , I have to ask how many of those folks would show up to a sermon by Christ Himself. Would people be put off if He didn't have an opening band, fireworks,jumbotron etc. ? I suppose an concert " tour " of Jesus would eventually fill huge stadiums unless ,of course, He called people to repent of their sinful ways. Repeat business might be way down.

[BCSpace]

#3 is in conflict with the LDS Church. We claim to be the only true Church and while it's true one can interpret the scriptures the way one wants, one has left the path of Christianity by incorporating the #3 suggestion. In fact it's such thinking that is a major reason Christianity is on the decline today. It leads to unbelief and Atheism.

But other Christians who hold to 3 believe we LDSers are damned to helll beacause we have the wrong Jesus.

That is quite all right. It is not possible for a church to be true, or technically even christian, assuming one believes in a God who is not a liar and a respecter of persons, if it does not believe it is the only true Church. To the extent that a church embraces a notion otherwise is a church that is closer to moral relativism and unbelief in the basic doctrines such as the reality of the divinity of Christ and this can be plainly seen in their teachings.

Edited March 3, 2013 by BCSpace

[altersteve]

Everytime I watch a report on a massive concert with 50,000 + attendees , I have to ask how many of those folks would show up to a sermon by Christ Himself. Would people be put off if He didn't have an opening band, fireworks,jumbotron etc. ? I suppose an concert " tour " of Jesus would eventually fill huge stadiums unless ,of course, He called people to repent of their sinful ways. Repeat business might be way down.

So you can't be a lover of both Jesus Christ and live music?

[Gillebre]

Of course you can. Depends on the live music, I guess.

The reason it depends (imo), is we eventually take on the characteristics of what we surround ourselves with, as well as what we allow in our minds.

[EllenMaksoud]

I'm not usually a fan of the Huff but I thought this was a great article and I completely agree.

6 Things Christians Should Just Stop Saying

First, if your going to run for president, please let me know. I'll vote for you.

# 1.) Yes, the Bible did not even exist in its present form until the Wycliffe era. I still believe the Bible, but with certain qualifications. I find the idea of selling your daughter repugnant. Yet it still happened in the early colonial years in America.

#2.) My favorite one to get iresome about is "God created us Man and Woman." Gee, I must not be human, I wondered about that. There are a bunch of us who are inter-sex, and it is sickening and hurtful to be constantly ground down by Muggles (Normal Humans). What if you don't have a sexuall orientation, in fact you don't have sex?

#3.) So, I have a question for you about John 14:6? What other way do you see to the Father but by Jesus The Christ? I can see your sentiment, but sentiment does not get you to the Father. Muslims I know and understand, but Hindus and the others I do not. I just do not see that it is my business condemning others. I mean, all the time that Muslims spend praying, and wringing their hands about their fate, I just can't see judging them. Of course I'll never have to worry about judging anyone. Were I not to be Mormon, I'd be a Muslim who believes in the proper role of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith and the BOM.

#4.) I agree. If the rapture does happen, I think it's more important to worry about loving Heavenly Father and doing his will than making sure you get a ticket on the Rapture Express.

#5.) I think that Homosexuality is a genetic issue in spite of the fact that I think homosexual acts are well, icky. I don't know how to handle the religious issues and I am glad that is not my job. In the next 20 or so years, the science will be so solid that rational people will have to address it. Hopefully, I won't be around for that conversation.

#6.) Yes, you said it all in this one. For me, people can believe what ever they want about the age of the earth. Just don't be hateful about it.

# 4.)